Posts Tagged ‘Agrochemicals’

Below are links to Thai PBS news articles from the last month – all focusing on pesticide contamination in the Thai food system. Thai PBS has become a major ally for the AAN and organic farming throughout the country. Their documentary-style journalism has helped to expose the risks involved with Thailand’s increasingly agri-business focused economy and the impacts on small-scale farmers. The stories below are in Thai, but English summaries can be made available.

From the January 26 paper – the article can be found here on the Bangkok Post website. Most importantly, the article calls for the banning of “carbofuran, dicrotophos, methomyl and EPN” and the article continues…”The list of pesticides approved for use is due to expire in August. The EU recently found prohibited chemicals in imported vegetables including basil, chili, Chinese bitter cucumber and bean. Fears of a possible EU ban on Thai vegetables has prompted the government to order a temporary suspension of shipments.” Read the rest of this entry »

What is especially significant about this headline is the use of the product name, Furdan, in the headline. Carbofuran, the active chemical in this pesticide produced by the FMC corporation, is a broad spectrum, systemic insecticide that is used on a range of crops, including rice, corn, watermelon, eggplant, and a number of other fruit and vegetable crops. Corporations like FMC work hard to prevent the names of their products from being mentioned in the media when there are instances of misuse, illness of death related to those products. Carbofuran is recognized as one of the most dangerous pesticides on the market today. Read the rest of this entry »

Last weekend Bennett Haynes represented the Alternative Agriculture Network at the TEDx event in Bangkok. TEDx are independently organized TED events that focus on sharing and exploring ideas in the pursuit of knowledge, imagination, and innovation. Some of the topics covered at the event included sustainable and impact focused philanthropy in Honduras (Shin Fujiyama), improving Thai communities through solidarity (Bang Bua Network), and the destruction of natural beauty with the rise of modernization and industrialization (Roseanne Trottier). Read the rest of this entry »

Sustainable agriculture is growing throughout Southeast Asia, and in some countries, government support and coordination with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is producing positive results. The work currently being carried out by the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA), a Lao organization committed to sustainable agriculture and community development, is an example of this movement.

Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand, 24 November 2009 – As the 9th National Plant Protection Conference begins today in Ubon Ratchatani province, northeastern Thailand, the Alternative Agriculture Network – Esan (AAN) has prepared a statement on the current crisis surrounding the use of agrochemicals in our food system. For more background information, please read our recent reports on Carbofuran and Kudchum District.

In meeting with agrochemical company representatives at this conference, Thailand’s agricultural researchers and government representatives are neglecting their role in controlling the import and use of pesticides and other agrochemicals. The Ubon Ratchatani provincial strategy for economic development points out that it will “develop organic agriculture,” and both Yasothon and Sisaket have organic farming in their provincial “visions.” Roi Et, Surin and other Esan provinces also have organic farming policies.

It must be that these researchers are not interested in organic agriculture or they don’t see the importance of the national agricultural policy and Esan provincial strategies. Between January and September of 2008, Thailand imported over 99 million kg of agrochemicals. More than 10 million kg of carbofuran is imported annually. Read the rest of this entry »

I am very sad that the CEO of the Kenyan Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), Mrs Gladys Maina cannot have a serious conversation with us about carbofuran poisoning in Kenya. She appears to be bitterly angry that WildilfeDirect has called for a ban on this product. This does not make a lot of sense to me since her job is not to protect the agrochemical industry but to protect consumers and the environment. My efforts to discuss issues with her on phone have always involved accusations that I am an ‘activist’ and that I have a personal grudge against her. It’s silly I know but even if it were true, that does not relieve Mrs Maina of her duties as the CEO of the PCPB.

Our VisionThe vision of the PCPB is to be the leading regulatory agency for pest control products in the region.

Our Mision
The mission of PCPB is to provide an efficient and effective regulatory service for importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, transportation, sale, disposal and safe use of pest control products and mitigate potential harmful effects to the environment. Read the rest of this entry »

Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand, 23 November 2009 – Following the incident surrounding the plant disease “natural disaster”[1] in Kudchum district, Yasothon province, the AAN has compiled further research to raise public awareness about the impacts of carbofuran (Furadan) on the environment and human health.

The Alternative Agriculture Network – Esan (AAN) is a network of more than 3,000 small-scale farmers, working to develop sustainable agricultural techniques, support local food systems and community livelihoods. We also monitor agriculture and trade policies at both the domestic and international levels. The continued promotion of chemical fertilizer and pesticide imports is of major concern to our network, given the Thai government’s spoken commitment to supporting small-scale farmers and organic agriculture. Read the rest of this entry »